Blocking pad tackling dummy and method

ABSTRACT

A tackling dummy hit pad comprises an inner cushion or resilient pad having a tight-fitting durable covering, wherein the tackling dummy is generally formed into the shape of a person. The tackling dummy preferably includes a torso or main body portion with pair of shoulders extending from each side thereof, and a pair of legs extending beneath the torso portion. Optionally, the tackling dummy hit pad may include full-length legs and be free-standing, or may include shortened legs and/or include handles or straps on a backside thereof. In a preferred embodiment, target pads may be placed on the torso portion, on either side thereof and beneath the armpits, to serve as a target for a player&#39;s shoulders or shoulder pads during tackling drills. The tackling dummy hit pad may be used as a free-standing dummy or as a dummy-in-motion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Blocking pads and tackling dummies have long been used in contact sportssuch as football and rugby, for purposes of practicing and teachingblocking and tackling techniques. Over time, in an effort to improve thesafety of these contact sports, many facets of the games have changed,including rule changes, improvements in equipment (such as helmets, padsand training equipment), and a generally increased focus on keepingplayers safe and healthy. Specifically, tackling and blocking techniqueshave evolved over the years, particularly due to the prevalence ofconcussions and brain injury sustained by players participating intackling sports.

For many years, defensive players were taught to tackle offensiveplayers by leading with their head or helmet, and placing their face orfacemask directly into the opposing player's chest. As a result, manyplayers have suffered concussions and neck injuries, as the head andneck suffer the brunt of the collision. In practice drills, tacklingdummies are generally used to teach and practice tackling techniques.Typically, a tackling dummy is simply a free-standing, cushionedcylinder, and in practice, players are taught tackling techniques wherethey run toward the dummy, place their face directly in the uppercentral portion of the dummy (where an opposing player's chest wouldbe), wrap their arms around the dummy while lifting upwardly, andfalling to the ground with the dummy in the player's grasp.

Another type of practice equipment that has been used in football andrugby sports is called a hit pad. Traditionally, a hit pad is simply arectangular cushion or pad that includes handles or straps on a backsidethereof. In use, a coach grasps the hit pad via the handles or straps,holds the hit pad in front of him while facing a player, and the playerpractices hitting or blocking the hit pad. The obvious purpose of thehit pad is for protection of the player and coach, so that the player ishitting a cushioned object rather than directly hitting another coach orplayer. One advantage to using a hit pad is that a coach may move aboutwith the hit pad during drills, which creates a more realistic mobileopponent than a stationary tackling dummy or blocking sled.

Many types of tackling dummies and hit pads have been developed over theyears. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,254,429 discloses a trainingapparatus for developing fundamental skill for the game of footballwhich comprises a base pad having at least one of a hand grip and ashoulder pad, and an outer pad mounted and securely stitched to a frontof the base pad. The outer pad includes a torso region and a shoulderregion shaped to mimic shoulder pads of a football player. In someembodiments, the outer pad is covered with a grippable mesh materialadapted to mimic a texture and form of a football jersey. The outer padmay be smaller than and fit within a perimeter of the front of the basepad, and during training, the outer pad is adapted to draw attention tothe center of the training apparatus to draw hands of a training playerinside the perimeter of the base pad.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,396,969 is directed to a football training dummy madesquare in cross section, with flat, square end surfaces of the same sizeand shape as the cross section, and with hand holds provided on twoadjacent sides each adjacent to one of the end surfaces, so that thedummy can be used with either end uppermost and wear in use is thusdivided between the two sides.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,907,291 describes a football practice blocking sledhaving a pair of ground engaging runners for slidingly supporting asimulated human body blocking dummy. In addition to the ground engagingrunners, the support structure includes an upward and rearwardlyextending frame portion; a vertically extending half-leaf spring memberattached adjacent its lower end to the rearward portion of the frameportion, and a substantially L-shaped, elastic dummy reinforcing frameelement attached adjacent the upper end of the half-leaf spring member.The dummy body being constructed from essentially a thick foam rubbermaterial.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,191 is directed to a life-like striking dummy as anattachment to a punching bag for use in boxing, martial arts, and thelike. More specifically its purpose is to augment and improve realism oftraining utilizing a punching bag as a mounting device. The strikingdummy is sculptured three-dimensionally and comprises a first portionconfigured to anatomically resemble a human head, and is connected by aneck to a second portion configured to anatomically resemble a humantorso. The total embodiment is detailed with facial, muscular, andskeletal features as targets to be struck by the user. The head, neck,and torso are homogeneously connected by construction preferablyutilizing an integral skin flexible polyurethane foam material. Theintegral skin of the polyurethane is a near solid resilient protectiveouter layer which serves to prevent injury or damage to the strikingdummy or user. The cellular foam core is homogeneously distributedthroughout the entire inner structure of the embodiment and ishuman-like in density, providing a realistic feel of striking anopponent. The striking dummy is configured with mounting straps for thepurpose of attachment to a punching bag.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,906 discloses a dummy apparatus for practicingfootball techniques including a generally upright, ground engaging,hollow inflatable body and an arm having an upper end attached to thebody and an opposite end. The arm has an upper arm portion extendinggenerally vertically from the upper end to an elbow and a forearmportion extending generally horizontally from the elbow to the free endwhereby a human football carrier is simulated for practicing footballtechniques. A valve is attached to the body for inflating and deflatingthe dummy. A fastener includes a first fastener portion attached to theforearm portion of the arm and a second fastener portion for attachingto a football, the first and second fastener portions being formed ofloop and hook materials respectively and being releasably connectedtogether.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,056,238 describes a hand-held offensive lineman trainingpad formed of a resilient inner pad and a close fitting outer cover hasa generally T-shaped tapered configuration with flat front and backsides and a generally rectangular cross section. The generally T-shapedpad has a relatively wide upper portion and an elongate lower portionhaving opposed lateral sides that taper downward and angularly inwardand terminate at a flat bottom end to simulate the framework of theupper torso of a defensive lineman with the wider upper portionsimulating the shoulder pads of the defensive lineman. A pair of shallowgenerally rectangular recessed pockets on each of the elongate lateralsides of the pad receive the fingertips of the offensive lineman andapproximate the proper hand placement for an offensive lineman to engagea defensive lineman. The pad is effective in training an offensivelineman in proper hand placement and executing various blockingmaneuvers.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,814,729 is directed to a tackle practice apparatuscomprising an inflatable dummy element in the shape of a person, and isreleasably coupled to an inflatable ground engaging sled from which arope extends to a harness, which is releasably coupleable to a personfor pulling the tackle practice apparatus across a playing pitch fortackle practice by a player. The dummy element comprises a base elementand an inflatable central bladder extending upwardly from the baseelement. Two inflatable lower peripheral bladders and two inflatableupper peripheral bladders extend around the central bladder. The lowerperipheral bladders are located below a waist high position. The baseelement comprises an inflatable first base bladder which is inflatablewith water to provide ballast to the dummy element, and an inflatablesecond base bladder above the first base bladder from which the centralbladder extends. On the dummy element being correctly tackled below thewaist high position by a player, air from the central bladder isexpelled through a whistle, thus indicating a correct tackle. The sledcomprises an inflatable ring.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 20150258408 discloses atackling training device including a primary pad, and at least one armdirecting portion providing an aperture to receive an arm of a tackler.

Each of the above-referenced documents is hereby incorporated herein byreference, in their entireties.

None of the prior art, however, includes a tackling dummy that isgenerally formed into a shape and size of a player, which furtherincludes a target zone for placement of a player's shoulder or shoulderpad, and a pair of legs for placement of a player's lead foot, and whichis used for teaching a tackling technique whereby the player's headextends to one side of the tackling dummy beneath the tackling dummy'sarmpit. Further, none of the prior art includes a hit pad tackling dummythat generally resembles the shape of an opposing player, furtherincluding handles or straps on a backside thereof, so that a coach canconduct tackling drills with a mobile tackling dummy.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a first embodiment of atackling dummy hit pad comprises an inner cushion or resilient padhaving a tight-fitting durable covering, wherein the tackling dummy isgenerally formed into the shape of a person. The tackling dummy includesa torso portion with a shortened pair of arms extending from a shoulderportion, and a pair of legs extending beneath the torso portion.Optionally, the tackling dummy hit pad may include full-length legs andbe free-standing, or may include shortened legs and handles or straps ona backside thereof. In a preferred embodiment, target pads may be placedon the torso portion, on either side thereof and beneath the armpits, toserve as a target for a player's shoulders or shoulder pads duringtackling drills. The tackling dummy hit pad should be sizedappropriately for the age and size of a player, so it is contemplatedthat multiple sizes may be used, particularly including youth sizes andadult sizes.

In use, the tackling dummy hit pad may be configured to be used as afree-standing structure for tackling purposes, or may be used as amobile hit pad. In either case, the tackling dummy hit pad is used toteach a specific tackling technique, wherein a player may practicetackling on a right hand side, or on a left hand side, depending uponthe situation. For right side tackling, the player is instructed toplace his left foot forward, and generally between the legs of thedummy, and using the left shoulder to hit the dummy on the torso portionbelow the right armpit (target pad), so that the player's head extendsto the right side of the torso and beneath the right armpit of thetackling dummy. Using the arms to wrap up the tackling dummy, the playertackles the dummy to the ground. Additionally, the tackling dummy hitpad may be used for rucking drills for rugby.

Optionally, visual aids, such as arrows or targets, may be strategicallyplaced on the tackling dummy hit pad as a reminder to the player on howto perform the proper tackling technique.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with regard to the followingdescription, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a tackling dummy hitpad illustrated in use for tackling drills, wherein the legs are fulllength;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a tackling dummy hitpad having a pair of straps on a rear portion thereof, wherein a coachis illustrated holding the tackling dummy hit pad as a player engagesthe dummy in a tackling drill or rucking drill;

FIG. 3 is a front view of one embodiment of a tackling dummy hit pad,further showing target pads on either side of the main body portionbetween the legs and the shoulders;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of one embodiment of a tackling dummy hit pad;

FIG. 5 is a left side view of one embodiment of a tackling dummy hitpad;

FIG. 6 is a right side view of one embodiment of a tackling dummy hitpad;

FIG. 7 is a top view of one embodiment of a tackling dummy hit pad;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of one embodiment of a tackling dummy hit pad;

FIG. 9 is a front view of one embodiment of a tackling dummy hit pad,wherein the legs are shortened to approximately knee length;

FIG. 10 is a rear view of one embodiment of the tackling dummy hit padshown in FIG. 9, including a pair of straps on a rear portion thereof;

FIG. 11 is a left side view of one embodiment of the tackling dummy hitpad shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a right side view of one embodiment of the tackling dummy hitpad shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a top view of one embodiment of the tackling dummy hit padshown in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of one embodiment of the tackling dummy hit padshown in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DECRYPTION OF THE INVENTION

Free-Standing Dummy Embodiment

The present invention includes, in a first embodiment, a tackling dummyhit pad 10 that is generally shaped like a person, having a torsosection 12 (main body portion), shoulder portions 14 extending outwardlyfrom the main body portion 12, and a pair of leg members 16 extendingbelow the main body portion 12. It should be understood that the terms“tackling dummy hit pad,” “tackling dummy,” “hit pad” and “dummy” may beused interchangeably hereinbelow to refer to various embodiments of thepresent invention. Additionally, the terms “torso” and “main bodyportion” may be used interchangeably herein, as well. In the firstembodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-8, the tackling dummy hit pad 10is a free-standing structure, made from an inner resilient cushion witha durable, tight-fitting cover. The legs 16 in this embodiment arefull-sized, so that the tackling dummy 10 stands at a proper or averageheight of an opposing player or ball carrier.

A pair of target pads 18 are preferably disposed about mid-torso on themain body portion 12, one on the right side and one on the left sidethereof, as shown. It is contemplated that the target pads 18 may be adifferent color from the tackling dummy 10, in order to provide a cleartarget for the player's shoulder or shoulder pad. Alternatively, insteadof providing a pair of target pads 18 attached to the tackling dummy 10,colored target indicia (bullseye, arrows, or the like) may be applieddirectly to the external cover of the main body portion 12 or torso toindicate the target zone for a player's shoulder. Optionally, otherarrows or other target indicia may be disposed on the tackling dummy hitpad 10, to show placement of the players feet, head, and/or shoulder.

The inner resilient cushion material may be made from any suitablecushioning material, and preferably from a foam product, such aspolyurethane foam or latex foam, although it is understood that anysuitable cushioning material may be used. The exterior cover 20 may alsobe made from any suitable material, although it is preferred that thematerial be a tough, durable textile material that is waterproof, or atleast water resistant, in order to keep water from seeping through theexterior cover 20 and soaking into the interior cushion material.

In use, the first embodiment of the tackling dummy hit pad 10 is placedon the practice field as a free-standing structure, and players practicetackling the dummy 10, while making sure that they are employing theproper technique, as shown in FIG. 1. The tackling dummy hit pad 10 isused to teach a specific tackling technique, wherein a player maypractice tackling on a right hand side, or on a left hand side,depending upon the situation.

Prior art tackling dummies are typically cylindrically shaped pads thatare similar in shape and size to punching bags used in boxing andmartial arts training. When a player uses one of the cylindricaltackling dummies in a tackling drill, it forces the player to place hislead foot on either side of the tackling dummy, which is not a propertackling technique. The tackling dummy hit pad 10 described hereinincludes a pair of legs 16 that are spaced apart slightly, as shown.This arrangement allows a player to place his lead foot generallybetween the tackling dummy's legs 16, which is the proper tacklingtechnique.

For right side tackling, the player is instructed to place his left footforward, and generally between the legs of the dummy 10, and using theleft shoulder to hit the dummy 10 on the main body portion 12 below theright armpit on the target pad 18, so that the player's head is up, andextends to the right side of the main body portion 12 and beneath theright armpit and shoulder 14 of the tackling dummy 10. Using the arms towrap up the tackling dummy 10, the player tackles the dummy 10 to theground.

For left side tackling, the player is instructed to place his right footforward, and generally between the legs 16 of the dummy 10, as shown inFIG. 1. Using the right shoulder to hit the dummy 10 on the target pad18 of the torso 12 below the left armpit and shoulder 14, the playerpositions his head so that it extends to the left side of the torso 12and beneath the left armpit and shoulder 14 of the dummy 10. Using thearms to wrap up the tackling dummy 10, the player tackles the dummy 10to the ground.

In this way, the tackling dummy hit pad 10 is used as a traditionaltackling dummy is used, but with target areas (target pads 18) andindicia shown on a generally human-shaped dummy 10 to show and remindplayers of proper tackling techniques, which are used to prevent orreduce instances of head and neck injury.

Dummy-in-Motion Embodiment

A second embodiment of the tackling dummy hit pad is shown in FIGS. 2and 9-14. In this embodiment, the tackling dummy 10 is similar to thatdescribed above in the first embodiment, but the legs 16 have beenshortened (to approximately knee length, as shown), and the rear side ofthe tackling dummy hit pad 10 includes a pair of straps 22 (or handles),so that a coach can hold the tackling dummy hit pad 10 via the strapsduring tackling drills, as shown in FIG. 2. One advantage to thisarrangement is that a coach can conduct mobile drills, where he moveswhile holding the dummy 10, in order to make the tackling drills morerealistic because the dummy 10 is in motion.

In use, the coach grasps the tackling dummy hit pad 10 by the straps 22on a rear portion thereof, and holds the dummy 10 out in front of him,facing a player. The coach may either remain still, or may move with thedummy 10, forcing the player to chase the dummy 10 and tackle it on therun. When the player grasps the dummy 10 during the drill, the coachreleases his grasp on the straps 22, so that the dummy 10 comes freefrom the coach, and the player continues to grasp the dummy 10throughout the rest of the tackle. Alternatively, the coach may use thetackling dummy hit pad 10 by holding the straps 22, and instead ofhaving the player tackle the dummy 10, the coach may continue to graspthe dummy 10 while the player hits and drives the dummy 10, blocks thedummy 10, or tackles the dummy and coach together to the ground.

The second embodiment of the tackling dummy hit pad 10 is used to teacha specific tackling technique, as shown in FIG. 2. Oftentimes, footballplayers and rugby players suffer head and neck injuries in games becausethey either lead the tackle with their heads, and place their faces orfacemasks directly in the chest of the opposing player, or they attemptto tackle the opposing player by targeting the forward side of theopposing player in motion, and the resulting collision impacts the headand neck directly.

The concept being taught by using the present tackling dummy hit pad 10is that if the dummy is moving from right to left (from the player'spoint of view), then the player should tackle the dummy by targeting theright side (or rear side, with respect to the motion of the player) ofthe dummy target pad 18 with his left shoulder. In this way, theplayer's head and neck are disposed behind the dummy's direction ofmotion. The actual tackling technique for this in-motion embodiment isexactly the same as the technique described above for the stationarytackling dummy 10, where the lead foot is placed between the dummy'slegs 16, and the shoulder or shoulder pad hits the target pad on thetorso 12, as described above and shown in FIG. 2. However, the in-motiontechnique teaches the player not to try to cut off the path of thedefensive player with his head and neck, and instead to place his headand neck on the lagging or rear side of the direction of motion, andthen to employ the above-referenced tackling technique. This techniqueis an effective manner of tackling an opposing player, which preventsthe violent collisions that occur between an offensive player and adefensive player who tries to “cut off” the path of the offensive playerwith his head and neck in the direct path of the offensive player.Rather, this technique allows the defensive player to absorb the ballcarrier's contact through the shoulders and feet, instead of through thehead and neck.

Conversely, if the offensive player is moving left to right, then theplayer tackles the dummy 10 by placing his right foot generally betweenthe legs 16 of the dummy, and targets the left target pad 18 (on theleft side of the dummy 10) with his shoulder or shoulder pad, and placeshis head to the left side of the left target pad 18, beneath the leftarmpit and shoulder 14 of the dummy 10. Wrapping his arms around thedummy 10, the player completes the tackle while the coach releases gripon the straps 22 of the dummy 10.

Other drills may be similarly conducted. For example, instead oftackling the dummy 10, the player may either hit and drive the dummy 10while the coach maintains his grasp on the dummy straps 22, or theplayer may hit the dummy 10, and simultaneously wrap his arms around thedummy 10 and the coach, and tackle both the dummy 10 and coach to theground.

It is also contemplated that straps 22 or handles may be affixed to therear portion of the free-standing first embodiment of the tackling dummyhit pad 10, having the fully extended legs 16, so that the dummy 10 maybe used as a free-standing tackling dummy or a dummy-in-motion, asdescribed herein. Further, either embodiment may include target indiciaon a front side thereof, for showing and reminding players of the propertackling technique. For example, an arrow may be placed on the shoulderportion 14, pointing downwardly, to show where the tackler's head orhelmet should be. Another arrow may be positioned on the torso 12,pointing to the target pad 18, showing where the tackler's shouldershould be. Additionally, another arrow may be placed below the targetpad 18 pointing towards the area between the legs 16 of the dummy,showing where the tacklers lead foot should be placed for the initialhit on the dummy 10. These arrows or other target indicia may be used oneither the right side or the left side of the dummy 10, or on bothsides, if desired. Moreover, either embodiment may be made in anydesired sized, as appropriate for the age and size of the players,particularly including adult and youth sizes. It is also contemplatedthat one embodiment of the tackling dummy hit pad 10 may be manufacturedand used without the shoulder sections 14, so that a torso 12 is formedon a top portion thereof, and a pair of legs 16 extend therebeneath.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detailwith reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions arepossible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims shouldnot be limited to the description of the preferred versions containedherein. All features disclosed in this specification may be replaced byalternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose,unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly statedotherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a genericseries of equivalent or similar features.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tackling dummy hit pad comprising: a resilientcushion member having a shape of a human torso, including a main bodymember with a left and right upper arm extending outwardly from an upperportion of said main body member, wherein said left upper arm extendsfrom a left side of said main body member and said right upper armextends from a right side of said main body member; a pair of legmembers extending generally downwardly and outwardly from a bottomportion of said main body member; a tight-fitting external cover that isdisposed to cover said resilient cushion member on all sides thereof;and a first target pad attached to said external cover and positioned onsaid main body member on one side thereof between one of said upper armsand said leg members on the same side as said one of said upper arms. 2.The tackling dummy hit pad set forth in claim 1, further comprising asecond target pad attached to said external cover on an opposed sidefrom said first target pad, in mirror image fashion.
 3. The tacklingdummy hit pad set forth in claim 1, wherein said leg members are shorterthan the length of said main body member.
 4. The tackling dummy hit padset forth in claim 1, wherein said leg members are longer than thelength of said main body member.
 5. The tackling dummy hit pad set forthin claim 1, further including a pair of straps on a rear side thereof,so that said tackling dummy hit pad may be held by a person graspingsaid straps on said rear side thereof.
 6. The tackling dummy hit pad setforth in claim 1, further including target indicia on a front portionthereof, said target indicia being selected from the group consisting ofan arrow positioned on one of said upper arms and pointing downwardly,an arrow disposed on said main body member pointing toward said firsthit pad, and an arrow on said main body member pointing downwardly in adirection between said leg members.
 7. The tackling dummy hit pad setforth in claim 1, wherein said external covering is a textile materialthat is substantially water resistant.
 8. The tackling dummy hit pad setforth in claim 1, wherein said resilient member is made from a foammaterial.
 9. A method of teaching and practicing tackling or ruckingskills for contact sports, said method comprising the steps of:providing a generally human shaped tackling dummy hit pad, said tacklingdummy hit pad comprising a main body member with a top, bottom, front,rear, left side, and ride side, a pair of leg members extending fromsaid bottom of said main body member, and a target pad attached to saidmain body member on at least one of said left or right sides, between anupper portion of said main body member and one of said leg members;instructing a player to place his or her lead foot generally betweensaid leg members; instructing said player to place said player'sshoulder against said hit pad; instructing said player to place saidplayer's head adjacent said hit pad on one side of said main bodymember; and instructing said player to wrap his or her arms around saidtackling dummy hit pad and fall to the ground with said tackling dummyhit pad in said player's grasp.
 10. The method set forth in claim 9,further comprising the step of providing straps on a rear side of saidtackling dummy hit pad.
 11. The method set forth in claim 10, furthercomprising the steps of: grasping said tackling dummy hit pad to presentsaid tackling dummy hit pad to said player; moving with said tacklingdummy hit pad to provide said player with a moving tackling target; andreleasing said tackling dummy hit pad as said player grasps saidtackling dummy hit pad so said player can fall to the ground with saidtackling dummy hit pad in said player's grasp.
 12. The method set forthin claim 11, further comprising the steps of: instructing said player toplace his or her head on an opposed side of said tackling dummy hit padfrom the direction of motion of said tackling dummy hit pad.
 13. Themethod set forth in claim 9, wherein said tackling dummy hit pad furtherincludes a left and right upper arm extending outwardly from an upperportion of said left and right sides of said main body member.
 14. Atackling dummy hit pad comprising: a resilient cushion member having ashape of a human torso, including a main body member with a left andright upper arm extending outwardly from an upper portion of said mainbody member, wherein said left upper arm extends from a left side ofsaid main body member and said right upper arm extends from a right sideof said main body member; a pair of leg members extending generallydownwardly and outwardly from a bottom portion of said main body member;and a tight-fitting external cover that is disposed to cover saidresilient cushion member on all sides thereof.
 15. The tackling dummyhit pad set forth in claim 14, further including a first target padattached to said external cover and positioned on said main body member.16. The tackling dummy hit pad set forth in claim 14, further includingtarget indicia on said external cover for indicating target areas fortackling drills.
 17. The tackling dummy hit pad set forth in claim 16,wherein target indicia indicate proper placement of a portion of auser's body selected from the group consisting of their head, their leadfoot, their shoulder, and any combination thereof.
 18. The tacklingdummy hit pad set forth in claim 14, further including a pair of handleson a rear side thereof, so that said tackling dummy hit pad may be heldby a person grasping said handles on said rear side thereof.